Former Pondy MP insists on need to hold civic polls

In a statement here, Ramadass said under Article 243 of the Indian Constitution and the relevant provisions of Puducherry Municipality and Commune Panchayat Acts, election to local bodies have to be held every five years. This was vociferously reaffirmed by the Bench of the Supreme Court when it said: “We are not concerned with reservation of seats. The duration of the elected body will be five years and no more. Presently there was no election being held.”

However, the Government of Puducherry did not heed to this saner advice of the Supreme Court, but willingly flouted the constitutional provisions.

Perhaps nowhere in the country the local bodies have been stifled and strangulated without elected representatives as in Puducherry-first for 38 years from 1968 to 2006 and later for eight years from 2011 to 2019. By keeping the local Bodies in back burner without any valid reason, the Congress leaders here were willingly dishonouring their own charismatic leader and the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who catalyzed and rejuvenated local body institutions through 73 and 74th amendments to the Constitution. 

Prof Ramadass said the delimitation process, which was the bone of contention, has now been completed. 

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, instead of inventing any reason to delay the elections and without any ego, should exhibit a democratic spirit and order immediate elections to local bodies after consulting the Cabinet.

The first task would be to choose a non-political and non-partisan person for the State Election Commissioner post lying vacant for quite some time, he said. 

The constitution of the commission with the appointment of the Commissioner and the Secretary should be followed by the announcement of the schedule of election observing all formalities.